In Becourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France, is the Commonwealth War Grave of 11391 Corporal John Bowman, serving with the “D” Battery 72nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery, who died 12/10/1916.

John Bowman was one of 13 children born to William and Elizabeth Bowman, although by 1911 two of the children had died.

However, in 1901, William Bowman was a 41 year old jobbing gardener who was born in Earsdon in the civil parish of Jesmond. His wife was 36 year old Elizabeth, born in Ponteland. There were nine children living with them then: Margaret E. (15), Elizabeth (14), William (12), Jane (10), James Robert (8), Ethel (6), John (4), Richard (3) and Sydney (1). William senior must have moved around quite a lot as is indicated by the several places where the children were born: Ponteland, Newcastle, Bedlington and Morpeth, the last of these being the birth place of both Ethel and John. The family were then living at Glenthorn Road, Jesmond.

By 1911 many changes had taken place: William the father was now a widower and his employment was described as a market gardener. Eight of his children were still living with him, among whom was the second oldest child, Elizabeth, who was now 24. Margaret E (25) was no longer there, neither were William and Jane who would have been 22 and 20 respectively. Those who were there were James Robert (18), a miner, putter underground, Ethel (16), a general domestic servant, John, a driver (pony), putter underground and Richard (13), who was still at school. Sydney, who would have been 11, was no longer there (presumably one of the deceased) and three more children had joined the household: Lilian (9), another Sydney (8) and 7 year old Winifred. All three younger children were still at school. At this time the family were living at 2 Jackson Terrace, Bennets Walk, Morpeth.

John Bowman enlisted at Hamilton, Lanark, into the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery and was given the service number 11391. He died of wounds on 12th October 1916 in France and Flanders in the Western European Theatre of War.

Morpeth Herald 17/11/1916 carries a brief obituary:
Official news has been received by Mrs Simm, 24 Allgood Terrace, Bedlington, that her brother, Corporal John Bowman, R.F.A., died from wounds on October 12th. He was a son of the late Mr Thomas Bowman, formerly of Morpeth.

Before being called up, the deceased was employed by the Bedlington Coal Company. He was wounded at Soissons in September 1914.

John Bowman is remembered at Bedlington on B15.06 and at Morpeth on M17.01, M17.09 and M17.29.